A sudden blue screen on your Windows PC is never fun. If you’re seeing the stop code IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, that usually means a system driver or hardware piece tried to access memory it wasn’t allowed to touch. This can happen in both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Let’s fix it step by step. This guide helps you understand what causes the error and how to get your PC back to normal.

What Does IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Mean?

This error is tied to how Windows handles memory and drivers. IRQL is short for Interrupt Request Level, which deals with how tasks run on your system. If a driver or software forces access to restricted memory, Windows shuts down to prevent damage.

You’ll see a blue screen, also known as a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). The stop code will say:

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Sometimes, a file name like ntoskrnl.exe or netio.sys appears too, giving clues about the cause.

Common Causes of the IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Error

Here are some of the most common reasons this error shows up:

• Corrupt or outdated drivers, especially for network, graphics, or storage
• Faulty RAM or hardware conflicts
• Overclocking or unstable system settings
• Software bugs, especially after a recent update
• Antivirus tools or firewalls that interfere with memory access
• Missing or damaged system files

The error usually comes from a mix of software and hardware actions working against each other.

1. Restart Your PC in Safe Mode

Safe Mode turns off extra drivers and only loads what’s needed. This helps prevent more crashes while you troubleshoot.

1. Click Start > Power 
2. Hold Shift and click Restart 
3. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings 
4. Select Safe Mode with Networking 

If your PC runs fine here, the issue is likely a third-party driver or service.

2. Check and Update Your Drivers

Drivers connect Windows to hardware like your graphics card or network adapter. If they’re old or corrupt, they can cause the IRQL error.

Steps to update them:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager 
2. Expand Network adapters, Display adapters, or Storage controllers 
3. Right-click the driver and choose Update driver 
4. Let Windows search for the latest version 

If the update doesn’t help, you can uninstall the driver and restart. Windows will install a default version.

3. Test Your RAM

Faulty memory often leads to memory-based errors. Windows includes a tool to test your RAM.

• Press Win + R, type mdsched.exe, and hit Enter 
• Click Restart now and check for problems
  

After restart, Windows scans your memory. If it finds problems, you may need to replace your RAM or remove one stick at a time to test.

4. Check for System Updates

A missing patch or update can lead to system instability. Updating Windows can solve issues caused by bugs or outdated files.

• Go to Settings > Windows Update 
• Click Check for updates 
• Install anything available and reboot 

Many times, Microsoft patches stop code bugs in routine updates.

5. Repair System Files

Corrupt or missing system files can confuse drivers and cause crashes. Windows has built-in tools to fix these problems.

Open Command Prompt as an admin and run:

sfc /scannow

After that, run:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This combo repairs Windows files and replaces broken data from official sources.

6. Remove Recently Installed Software

Think back—did this start after installing something? Antivirus tools, VPNs, or game clients sometimes create conflicts.

To remove them:

• Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps 
• Find the app, click it, and hit Uninstall 

Restart your system after uninstalling to check for improvement.

7. Stop Overclocking and Reset BIOS

If you’re using overclocking software or changed BIOS settings, return everything to default.

• Restart your PC 
• Press F2 or Delete to enter BIOS 
• Find Load Default Settings 
• Save and exit 

Overclocked settings might seem fast, but they can cause unstable memory access and crash your system.

8. Use System Restore

If the error hasn’t gone away after trying other fixes, you can use System Restore to take your PC back to a time before the problem started. This works well when the issue began after a system update, driver change, or software install.

To begin, open the Start menu and type System Restore in the search bar. From the options that appear, select the tool that lets you choose a restore point. Windows will show you a list of saved dates—pick one from before the blue screen errors began.

Once selected, follow the on-screen steps to confirm. Your PC will restart during the process.

System Restore doesn’t touch your personal files, like photos or documents. It only rolls back system settings, drivers, and registry changes, which makes it useful when fixing this kind of memory access crash.

Final Tips

The IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL stop code points to a problem with memory access—usually from drivers or hardware. Start with Safe Mode and update your drivers. If that doesn’t help, move to RAM checks, system tools, and BIOS settings.

This error might look scary but in most cases, it’s fixable at home.

Have you solved this error before? Or still stuck? Feel free to leave a comment and share what helped—or pass this guide on to someone else dealing with the same thing.